What to expect from a hypnotherapy session

Hypnotherapy has become well established as an alternative method to helping overcome unresolved issues an individual may be experiencing. However, many people are still unsure of what to expect and can be reluctant to try something new as they may only be used to using traditional medicines and treatments.

They may have watched hypnotists on TV who entertain their audiences by making them do or say silly things. However, hypnosis therapy is completely different, and your therapist will treat you with the utmost dignity and respect to help you overcome the challenges you want to be addressed.

On initial contact, your therapist will want to establish the best way to assist you. They will either have a chat with you on the telephone first to find out more about what issue you want to address or, alternatively, he or she may ask you to answer some questions by email.

At the beginning of the session, the therapist will ask you to define not only the specifics of the problem you are facing, but they will also discuss with you what would be your desired outcome to resolve the issue. If the issue is the result of a past traumatic incident, unlike other talking therapies, there is no need to go into a lot of detail and relive it as this could make you feel uncomfortable and anxious.

Once the issue is well defined and you know the desired outcome then the therapist will start to move you from the problem towards the solution. This might have various steps in between.

Next, the therapist may use hypnosis to begin the process of using the resources you have to create the steps for transformation. It is important to understand that hypnosis is actually a natural state we experience every day. It is an altered state of consciousness which is really just a trance state. Examples of this are when you are driving and you arrive at your destination but cannot remember the journey, still being at a set of traffic lights when they have changed to green or engrossed in a film or book and so on.

The therapist will explain that you are in control at all times and your unconscious mind will only accept positive instructions that are beneficial to you. Most people experience hypnosis as a relaxed state.

Normally you'll be asked to close your eyes as this helps to block out 80% of unnecessary sensory stimulation. The therapist will guide you into a deep state of relaxation using processes such as meditation mindfulness and visualisation techniques whilst explaining the challenge you are facing is not serving you any purpose, and he/she will help guide you to resolve it. At this point, you may feel deeply relaxed and in a trance-like state. He will suggest better, alternative solutions that perhaps you had both discussed beforehand and that would serve you better, and he will reinforce these suggestions several times to recalibrate your thoughts.

By creating a pool of positive resources, the transformation will start taking place right away. When the session ends, you will retain that feeling of relaxation whilst also feeling refreshed and alert. The therapist may give you some simple techniques to follow at home to use at specific times, depending on what the issue was.

It is important to realise that this is just one way of conducting a session and your experience may vary depending on the therapist. There are also many situations where other types of therapies will be combined to solve your issue and to realise that any therapy should not be restricted to one or a handful of techniques.

Some issues can be addressed with one session whilst others may take several more. Unlike other therapies, there is no need to return time and time again for months on end. Your therapist will be able to gauge whether follow up sessions are required and how often you should attend.

Hypnotherapy can be used for a wide variety of challenges, from phobias to weight loss or from depression to sports performance. Hypnotherapy has helped millions of people throughout the world resolve thousands of challenges, so find a therapist who will guide you on your way to a better life.

“The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new” - Socrates.

Biodun Ogunyemi is the founder of Optimind, one of the leading hypnotherapy practices within the UK. He has practised on Harley Street and is an experienced hypnotherapist, trained to the highest level in advanced hypnotherapy and NLP and is the author of over 180 hypnosis products.… Read more